State of Texas

States

Texas State Bird

Name: Mockingbird

Binomial Name:Mimus polyglottos

Adopted: Legislation of 1927

The only mockingbird commonly found in North America is the Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos).

The Northern Mockingbird is a medium-sized songbird that can mimic other bird calls. It is pale gray above, whitish below with two white wingbars and shows large white patches in the wings while in flight. It has a thin black bill with brown base, yellow/orange eyes with thin dark eyeline. It has a long tail with white outer tail feathers, black central tailfeathers and long dusky legs. There is no difference in the appearance between the males and females of the species.

Generally, the Northern Mockingbird will build a twig nest in a dense shrub or tree and will aggressively defends against other birds and predators, including humans.